I love night markets..Especially China Markets…I rate Honk Kong Night Market is my first rated Chinese Night Market..When the sun goes down, the traders have already laid out their wares and the opera singers and fortune tellers begin to emerge. A popular street bazaar, named after a Tin Hau temple located in the centre of its main drag, and a place so steeped in local atmosphere that it has served as the backdrop to many a memorable movie. Trinkets, tea ware, electronics, watches, menswear, jade and antiques are scrutinised and haggled over, while claypot rice, seafood, noodles and other treats are consumed with gusto.Temple Street Night Market is an enduring example of the theatre and festivity of a Chinese market. And it’s on show nightly. I expected a lot from the Vancouver – Richmond Night Market

This is almost definitely the largest night market outside of southern Asia. It’s really cool that Vancouver and Richmond preserve the night market tradition by having FOUR night markets between the two cities. I find it ironic that the whole concept of a night market is it’s too hot to go out during the day, which doesn’t apply to the Vancouver area.

My favorite thing about the Richmond Night Market was the people represented at it, both vendors and attendees. Food included a mix of what is commonly served in Beijing, plus Taiwanese food (and bubble tea), Korean Potato Sticks, Dim Sum, and food from some places outside greater China. I had a Rotato, Taiwanese kimchi tofu, sesame balls, doughy dumplings, and a slushie from a bubble tea place and all were good. Attendees were mostly the demographics who traditionally attend night markets but different nationalities and age groups were represented. I didn’t feel out of place.

The night market was smaller and less lively than I expected, though still fun enough to spend a leisurely couple hours at. It seemed like there were maybe 100-150 stalls at the most instead of 400. Maybe it’s because it was the first night of the year. The massive stage set up wasn’t getting much use, either.